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Government launches Maritime and Aviation Training Fund
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     The Government today (April 1) announced the launch of the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund (MATF).

     The $100 million Fund, approved by the Legislative Council in January this year, aims to support manpower development for the maritime and aviation sectors with a view to expanding the pool of talent for the long-term sustainable development of the two sectors.

     A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said that the Fund would be used, over a period of five years from 2014-15 to 2018-19, to sustain and enhance the five existing training schemes and scholarships, as well as to launch a series of new initiatives for the maritime and aviation sectors.

     The spokesman said that the new initiatives include the introduction of the Professional Training and Examination Refund Scheme, with a view to upgrading the professionalism of qualified in-service practitioners of the maritime and aviation sectors. Under the Scheme, qualified in-service practitioners can apply for a refund of 80 per cent of fees after completing or passing approved courses/examinations. Each individual may apply for fee reimbursement for more than one course/examination, up to a ceiling of $18,000 per person. The scheme is now open for application.

     Furthermore, an internship network will also be launched this summer to enhance the younger generation's early exposure to the operations and career prospects in the maritime and aviation sectors.

     Other new initiatives include a partial tuition refund scheme for the specialised aircraft maintenance programme, and implementing the Local Vessel Trade Training Incentive Scheme to attract new recruits to the local vessel trade as coxswains or engine operators. The MATF will also support new promotion strategies and events to promote public awareness of the sectors and the career opportunities being offered.

     In addition, part of the Fund will be used to sustain and enhance the existing schemes. As one of the enhancement initiatives, the monthly subsidy provided for cadets under the existing Sea-going Training Incentive Scheme will be increased from $5,000 to $6,000 with effect from today.

     Other existing training schemes and scholarships for the maritime sector run jointly by the Government and the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council include two scholarship schemes for master degree programmes, namely the Hong Kong Maritime and Logistics Scholarship Scheme and the Hong Kong Maritime Law Scholarship Scheme. As maritime jobs are highly globalised, the Fund will provide selected Hong Kong students studying in these two programmes with an opportunity to undertake maritime-related courses at world-renowned universities. This will give them good exposure to the industry, and in turn enrich Hong Kong's maritime workforce.
          
     "Details of the new initiatives are being worked out through Government-industry-academia collaboration. A Tripartite Taskforce on Manpower Training under the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council will monitor and review the implementation of the initiatives concerning the maritime sector. A similar tripartite committee will also be set up for initiatives related to the aviation sector," the spokesman said.

     The Government will review the usage of the Fund regularly and fine-tune the implementation details in the light of practical experience and feedback.

     Details and relevant application forms under the Fund are available at the Transport and Housing Bureau's website (www.thb.gov.hk).

Ends/Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:04

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